Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Chevrolet S10 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I am filing this report on behalf of the vehicle owner. Owner name is [redacted]. I am a private electric vehicle service person, and have identified two software defects in the battery pack management system used in the 1997-1998 model Chevrolet s-10ev electric truck. The vehicle noted in this complaint had been completely destroyed by a fire that began while the vehicle was charging at a public vehicle charging station. I believe the fire was a result of one of the two known software program defects. I had previously contacted general motors regarding these suspicions, and have not received a reply as to whether they have interest in investigating the fire, and if the software program defects will be resolved. This is the third of three vehicle fires occurring during charging within a six month period.
My pickup was sitting in front of my home when it wouldn't start. I raised the hood and a rat was under the hood with debris with pieces of hoses and insulation from under the hood. After removing the debris I could see the wireing coatings and the hoses were all chewed and missing with part of it in the debris. I had discovered the same type of damage to my car that day but with a squirrel under the hood! I've lived here many years never had a problem with other vehicles. Afraid this could cause a safety hazard if it doesn't show up till on the road. Have not had it repaired yet due to the severity of damage & cost. Why are the rodents eating the wiring cover and hoses in vehicles?
My s-10 pickup will sporadically have the security light illuminate and flash when I* to start my vehicle. The truck will then not start even though it cranks over perfectly fine. The security feature is not a help, but a hindrance. I am using an official GM key in my ignition when this happens. If I wait at least an hour then there is a possibility the truck will then start as if nothing were wrong and the security light goes out. This has been looked at by a certified mechanic and he states that it is something faulty in the "idiotic security system" that was standard equipment on this vehicle. I should not have to pay roughly $500 to get a faulty "security" system that really is a useless non-necessary piece of equipment fixed so that I can simply start my car with an official key! It is outrageous. …
The vehicle intermittently shuts off while driving. All power is lost. All lights on instrument panel come on as if the truck were just started. "service engine soon" light comes on. Sometimes the truck restarts and continues working and other times it stalls completely as if the key was turned off. This happens at random times and in random situations. We May be accelerating aggressively (merging into traffic) or driving smoothly at slower speeds. It is not consistent with road conditions, temperature or whether we are driving up or downs a hill, on the flats, going straight or around curves. It May happen twice within a mile then not again that day. Once it has staled completely, starting the engine can be difficult, like it is not getting fuel or electrical current to the engine. Fuel filter has been changed with no change in symptoms. …
With the air conditioner, the relays and fuses keep blowing. I have taken the vehicle to a air conditioning place and they are not sure. With the ABS, I was driving down the road in snow, I used the brakes and the anti locks came on and all lights interior and exterior cut off completely. Had to stop and restart vehicle. With the electrical problem, I was driving down the road when all ny gauges jumped then went to normal. With the transmission it has constantly slammed into second gear and third gear. I have brought to the dealer numerous timed. It was worked on once, they said they replaced numerous parts on the transmission. Upon driving it down the road, the same thing happened. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****734327
About four hours after I parked my Chevy s-10 in my carport at 11 p.m., the truck erupted into flames. The engine compartment is gutted; the front portion of the truck is destroyed. A california department of forestry investigator has determined the cause was likely the vehicleos electrical system. He believes the fire probably started in the fuse box in the engine compartment, then spread to engulf the whole engine. I will be happy to provide you with a copy of his report when it becomes available. The fire threatened the entire building where I live, which includes several businesses and residences. Because of a sprinkler system and fast action by fire crews, the building damage was limited to smoke stains on the wall and ceiling. However, the truck is totaled.
Automatic transmission cooler broke while driving and contaminated other components within the engine compartment. This made driving and gear changing difficult. Dealership will replace all contaminated components. The "service engine soon" light illuminated so the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. The consumer had the radiator flushed at 550 miles and the engine continued to run rough. On one occasion, the consumer started the engine and it lunged forward almost knocking him to the driveway. The service manager agreed that the radiator May be defective. The battery was replaced, the instrument panel cluster was replaced because it had shorted out.
1998 Chevrolet s-10e pick-up. When starting vehicle, ignition key has remained stuck in start mode, causing operator not to be able to turn off the vehicle or retract the key. Only recourse for turning off the vehicle is to disconnect the battery or (for manual transmission trucks) popping the clutch. Automatic transmission trucks only recourse is to disconnect the battery while the starter continuously grinds into the flywheel. This incident of the ignition and key being stuck in start mode has happened twice within a two month period. Previous occurence was the date of April 02, 2004.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet S10. The contact noticed that the charging gauge was low and the vehicle was not charged at the proper level. He also stated that the gauges and interior lighting worked intermittently. The dealer stated that part of the wiring harness had melted. The dealer also stated that the vehicle was not included in recall # 97V208001 (electrical system:wiring:front underhood). The current and failure mileages were 68,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet S10. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000. Updated 01/09/15 updated 06/2/2015
Related recalls
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery
Vehicle description: electric passenger vehicles and pickup trucks containing a nickel metal hydride (nimh) battery pack. These vehicles contain software within the battery pack module intended to disable the vehicle from being driven if the electrical resistance with the battery pack exceeds a prescribed value.
Remedy: Dealers will install revised software in the battery pack module.
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose vehicles. An engine electrical wiring-harness clip can melt and drip onto the exhaust manifold.
Remedy: Dealers are contacting owners by telephone to have their vehicles towed to the dealer and alternate transportation provided to them until the dealer can reroute the electrical wiring-harness.
Electrical complaints in other S10 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Chevrolet S10?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Chevrolet S10, 8% of the model year's 613 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet S10 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-374 (12v/24v/48v battery, Nov 13, 2000); NHTSA recall 97V208001 (front underhood, Nov 25, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet S10 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 5 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.